The Lie of “Doing It for God”

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Read time: 5 minutes

Welcome to One Day Out, a weekly newsletter to help deepen your faith, enhance your health, and guide you in pursuing a purpose-filled life.

Opening Prayer

Father, You are sovereign over all. I confess the times I’ve tried to take control and write my own plans without coming to You first. Help me slow down. Quiet the noise. And hear Your voice above all others. Give me the courage to surrender and the wisdom to follow Your will over my own. I trust that Your way is always better. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

I Wanted God to Bless My Plans… Not Submit to His

Lately, I’ve been going through Sacred Pace by Terry Looper with my men’s group—and man, it’s been humbling.

The book outlines Four Steps to Hearing God and Aligning Yourself with His Will. Simple in concept. Difficult in execution.

Especially when you’ve grown up in a world that worships productivity, hustle, and control. We’re constantly told to chase the dream, build the brand, outwork everyone, and trust our gut.

But the kingdom of God doesn’t operate like the kingdom of the world.

I didn’t go to God—other than the occasional prayer asking Him to bless my plans. But I didn’t fully give my life to Christ and receive the free gift of salvation until I was 23.

When I started creating content and leaning into entrepreneurship at 21, I never stopped to ask, “God, what do You want me to do with this?”

Instead, I forged ahead with my own plans and then asked Him to come along for the ride.

I told myself I was doing it for Him—but in reality, I was building my own kingdom, not His.

And in His mercy, God started stripping that away.

Opportunities dried up. Relationships ended. My identity—so tightly wrapped in fitness and achievement—was shaken to its core.

And that hurt.

But now I can see it clearly: God wasn’t punishing me. He was preparing me. He was pruning what didn’t belong so something new could grow.

One of the most powerful lines from Sacred Pace says this:
“We must desire to know God’s will more than we want our own way.”

That stopped me in my tracks.

Because if I’m being honest… I don’t always want that. I say I trust God, but then I take back the wheel when things feel uncertain. I rush decisions. I act impulsively. I move first and pray later.

But that never brings peace.

Peace doesn’t come from more control. Peace comes from surrender.

Romans 12:2 reminds us:
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

That’s the invitation.
Not to force our way forward, but to renew our minds daily and allow God to lead.

Proverbs 19:21 puts it plainly:
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

If you're in a season where your plans aren’t working out… maybe it’s not punishment. Maybe it’s pruning. Maybe it’s preparation.

God’s will is always better than ours—even when it doesn’t make sense.

Health Habits and Holy Surrender 

This mindset shift has impacted the way I approach health and fitness, too.

For so long, I used discipline, training, and nutrition as ways to try and control outcomes. I’d push my body to the limit because it made me feel in control. I’d obsess over routines because I believed that was the path to fulfillment.

But fitness is meant to be a tool—not an idol.

Now, I see training as worship. Nutrition as stewardship. Rest as obedience.

God cares about our bodies—not because of how they look, but because of how they allow us to love, serve, and live out His purpose.

If you’ve been white-knuckling your fitness journey, ask yourself:

• Am I building habits that honor God—or just my ego?

• Am I stewarding my health to serve others—or to prove something?

• Am I creating space to hear from God—or just chasing the next goal?

Tangible Ways to Apply This 

Here are a few ways I’m learning to slow down, surrender, and seek God first:

1. Pause Before You Plan – Before setting a goal or making a decision, take 5–10 minutes to sit in stillness. Ask: “Lord, what do YOU want me to do?”

2. Pray Over Your Training – Literally. Before a workout or run, pray: “God, thank You for this body. Help me to train in a way that honors You today.”

3. Fast From Control – Pick one day a week to release control. No strict schedule. No obsession with productivity. Just presence with God and the people in front of you.

4. Check Your Motives – Journal this weekly: “Am I doing this to glorify God or to glorify myself?”

5. Invite God Into Everything – Whether it's a meeting, a meal, or a morning walk—acknowledge Him. Proverbs 3:6 says, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

This isn’t about doing less. It’s about doing what matters most—with God at the center.

You don’t have to strive your way into success.
You just have to surrender your plans to the One who sees the whole picture.

And when you do, peace follows.

Not because life gets easier—but because you’re no longer carrying it all alone.

Closing Prayer

Lord, align my heart with Yours. Help me let go of anything that pulls me away from Your presence. I don’t want to chase results—I want to walk in obedience. Give me the strength to surrender and the faith to follow.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

We often treat our workouts, diets, or biohacks as if they are the savior. We try to control everything: macros, steps, sleep cycles. We obsess over outcomes and forget to ask: Is this honoring God?

That’s why I coach from a place of alignment and intention—faith-driven fitness built on strength, endurance, whole foods, and rest.

We train to build resilience. We fuel with simple, God-given foods. We move from a place of stewardship, not obsession.

Fitness should support your calling, not distract from it.

If this resonates… I’m looking to work with 2 driven men who want to transform physically, mentally, and spiritually over the next 90 days.

If that’s you, let’s talk. Book a free call below.

Book a Call With Me

Know others who want to grow in their faith, optimize their health, and live a biblically sound life according to God’s word? Share this and let’s grow His Kingdom!

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